Self spotting for the LR newb

[Mikido]

Apologies for a poorly structured post…

I currently shoot out to 500 with confidence. I’d like to join a club that has a 1000yard range, but is 4 hours away.

I shoot alone and have been researching solo spotting. I’ve been focusing on prone position techniques and recoil management. I’m having difficulty seeing my misses mostly bc I shoot into a grass flat field without much feedback. My largest target is a 16” gong.

I’d like to hear peoples experiences with solo spotting past 500. Was it a real issue at the range? I don’t want to drive 8 hours for nothing. Any tips for the first timer who doesn’t want the whole day to be ruined by missing critical technique or gear?

Currently I shoot off a bag front rest, mostly because I’m trying to emulate hunting/shooting off a backpack, and don’t like the extra weight. Would using a bipod, at the range at least, help with self spotting?

Lastly, have you noticed a change in groups with a “loaded” bipod vs relaxed position?

Thanks!

 

[Harvey_NW]

That's gonna be a tough one just based on the terrain, but I usually set up my spotter with a phone scope and video the shots when I don't have a spotter with me. You can usually see trace in the video if you're not too zoomed in.

 

[Mikido]

That’s a great tip thank you. How close of a range were you able to spot with that method?

 

[ID_Matt]

Spotting scope with phone scope type attachment helps a ton. A bipod should theoretically allow you to control the gun better and see impact but the biggest thing is having a good back drop. If it is just a t post hanger out in the middle of a field, you are going to have a hell of a time and be relying on being able to see trace.

 

[willfrye027]

What are you shooting? Brake? Total rifle weight?

Personally I found that a heavier rifle (9-11lbs), front loading a quality bipod, and working on my form has made spotting impacts much easier. I also will stick with less zoom depending on the distance. Sometimes you need more FOV to pick up the impact. Shot my buck this week at 535 yards on 10x powder. Saw the bullet crush his front shoulder and watched him drop like a sack of potatoes. No additional magnification was needed.

My current setup is about 10 pounds, 135gr bullet at 2940fps, no brake. I’ve tinkered quite a bit to find the right combo that will easily allow spotting impacts.

Also it should be easier to spot impact the farther you shoot because you have more time for the gun/sight picture to settle down after the recoil. Shooting into grass will make it tough..

 

[Mikido]

300wsm, 8.5 lbs, no brake.

Should I feel confident that at 500+, at the range with the normal sand berm backdrops, I’ll be able to spot? Thanks

 

[Dioni A]

You need a brake if you want to consistently watch impacts on anything in that recoil range. Spotting scope and cell phone combo works ok but it's not as real world as seeing hits real time and making a fast follow up. It really helps to back down the magnification on your scope to 1.5x magnification per 100 yards. This seems to be a comfortable sight picture/ ability to see and spot compromise. It took some getting use to but I much prefer it that way now.

 

[wind gypsy]

Yeah, i'm not reliably spotting shit with my bare muzzle 300WSM in that weight range. Just expect to not see the impact.

 

[PathFinder]

I've had the same issue. Shooting an unbraked 300 WSM, 208 ELD-M at 2950, as well as my Knight UL 45. My solution has been to video through my spotting scope as well. I can see the bullet trace and impacts. I use this setup in the field while hunting solo as well, so I know what happens at the shot. It has served me really well and never leaves me wondering where I hit. I'm currently using a TU PhoneCam adapter, it's pretty quick.

 

[Formidilosus]

Y’all are going to convince me to try a rifle that don’t recoil much…..

 

[Formidilosus]

300wsm, 8.5 lbs, no brake.

Should I feel confident that at 500+, at the range with the normal sand berm backdrops, I’ll be able to spot? Thanks

Almost zero chance a non highly trained shoot will spot their own impacts with that setup.

 

[tacsled]

You are going to need a brake or phone scope to consistently spot hits. If you can recover from recoil and get back on target in @ 1 second you could spot hits at 1000 yards since that is roughly your time of flight. Having the target low to the ground also helps spot misses and is absolutely necessary if the target is on a flat spot of ground with no backstop.